Pocketnow Weekly 156: Microsoft writes off Windows Phone – or does it?

Laying off 7,800 people (in addition to the 18,000 from a few months back) and taking a $7.6B writedown on your highest-profile mobile acquisition ever isn't a great way to show your commitment to your smartphone platform ... but that's just what Microsoft did earlier this week, in the "Nadella Memo Heard Round the World." But are things really as gloomy as they seem for Windows Phone?

We'll talk about that, plus news from Motorola, OnePlus, Sony and Amazon –and the usual round of listener mail– as we end the third year of our podcast mastery with episode 156 of the Pocketnow Weekly! So boot on up and flip your live tiles to the front; this podcast is ready to vault from the Start Screen. Watch the video broadcast from 2:00pm Eastern on July 10 (click here for your local time), or check out the high-quality audio version dropped here. And don't forget to shoot your listener mail to podcast [AT] pocketnow [DOT] com for a shot at getting your question read aloud on the air!Pocketnow Weekly 156Recording Date

July 10, 2015

Hosts

Michael Fisher

Jaime Rivera

Producer

Jules Wang

Podcast Rundown

 Sponsor

(00:01:33)

The Pocketnow Weekly podcast is brought to you by MOD in a Box! The brainchild of former Pocketnow editor Taylor Martin, MOD in a Box is a monthly subscription service that sends you materials to make three useful, awesome DIY projects that can be made with tools you probably already own. MOD in a Box is part of a movement to get you away from your texts, sexts, and Xbox, and get you back to using your hands and making stuff. You know, like our ancestors did. To get started, pay them a visit at MODinabox.com to see what they can help you make this month – and tell 'em Pocketnow sent you!

Whither Windows Phone?

(00:06:19)

Holy Nokias, it finally happened. Microsoft laid off the bulk of its remaining phone workers and took a $7.6 billion write down on its Nokia acquisition. So Windows Phone is finally, officially dead for good – right?

Well, maybe not. We talk possibilities in our lightning round, with context from:

ComputerWorld

The Verge

WinSuperSite

Stratechery

News

(00:33:55)

Windows Phone selfie phone hinted with front-firing flash

BlackBerry silently registers "AndroidSecured.com"

Amazon's practically giving the Fire Phone away

Could the Moto X Sport and Moto G Nuevo be two new Motorolas in the works? (Mysterious new phablet too)

OnePlus Two launching with 4GB of high performance RAM, 3300 mAh battery, sub-$450 price

Sony will "never, ever sell" smartphone business

Apple Watch sales estimates take a hit

Listener Mail

(00:56:24)

E-mailed submissions from Greg Bond, Jebidiah, and Carlos Moreaux

•

Thanks for tuning in — see you next time!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laying off 7,800 people (in addition to the 18,000 from a few months back) and taking a $7.6B writedown on your highest-profile mobile acquisition ever isn't a great way to show your commitment to your smartphone platform ... but that's just what Microsoft did earlier this week, in the "Nadella Memo Heard Round the World." But are things really as gloomy as they seem for Windows Phone?

We'll talk about that, plus news from Motorola, OnePlus, Sony and Amazon –and the usual round of listener mail– as we end the third year of our podcast mastery with episode 156 of the Pocketnow Weekly! So boot on up and flip your live tiles to the front; this podcast is ready to vault from the Start Screen. Watch the video broadcast from 2:00pm Eastern on July 10 (click here for your local time), or check out the high-quality audio version dropped here. And don't forget to shoot your listener mail to podcast [AT] pocketnow [DOT] com for a shot at getting your question read aloud on the air!

Pocketnow Weekly 156Recording Date

July 10, 2015

 

Hosts

Michael Fisher

Jaime Rivera

 

Producer

Jules Wang

 

Podcast Rundown

 Sponsor

(00:01:33)

The Pocketnow Weekly podcast is brought to you by MOD in a Box! The brainchild of former Pocketnow editor Taylor Martin, MOD in a Box is a monthly subscription service that sends you materials to make three useful, awesome DIY projects that can be made with tools you probably already own. MOD in a Box is part of a movement to get you away from your texts, sexts, and Xbox, and get you back to using your hands and making stuff. You know, like our ancestors did. To get started, pay them a visit at MODinabox.com to see what they can help you make this month – and tell 'em Pocketnow sent you!

 

Whither Windows Phone?

(00:06:19)

 

 

Holy Nokias, it finally happened. Microsoft laid off the bulk of its remaining phone workers and took a $7.6 billion write down on its Nokia acquisition. So Windows Phone is finally, officially dead for good – right?

Well, maybe not. We talk possibilities in our lightning round, with context from:

ComputerWorld

The Verge

WinSuperSite

Stratechery

 

News

(00:33:55)

Windows Phone selfie phone hinted with front-firing flash

BlackBerry silently registers "AndroidSecured.com"

Amazon's practically giving the Fire Phone away

Could the Moto X Sport and Moto G Nuevo be two new Motorolas in the works? (Mysterious new phablet too)

OnePlus Two launching with 4GB of high performance RAM, 3300 mAh battery, sub-$450 price

Sony will "never, ever sell" smartphone business

Apple Watch sales estimates take a hit

 

 

Listener Mail

(00:56:24)

E-mailed submissions from Greg Bond, Jebidiah, and Carlos Moreaux

•

Thanks for tuning in — see you next time!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.